Disclosure: Explore Crawford Kansas sponsored my trip. All opinions and photographs are my own.

Frontenac, Kansas, is a town proud of its place on the map of Kansas. Located on the Frontier Military Historic Byway, it is renowned for its rich coal-mining history and vibrant community spirit, making it one of my top small-town destinations in the Southeastern region.

Founded in 1886, Frontenac is the second largest city in Crawford County and is located less than a 10-minute drive northeast of Pittsburg. The population boomed after the Santa Fe Railroad attracted immigrants to the area in search of work opportunities. An area rich with coal, immigrants mined in the Cherokee Crawford Coal Fields, which was a primary occupation until World War II.

Today, the population totals almost 3,500 residents, and the ones I met were welcoming and kind. Everyone was eager to share their pride for Frontenac.

Find Your Fun in Frontenac, Kansas: Where Coal Mining History Meets Community Spirit

Miners Park

Your first stop when touring Frontenac should be Miners Park, located across the street from the new Frontenac Public Library (200 E. McKay) in the heart of downtown.

The memorial honors the miners who lost their lives in the worst mining disaster in Kansas history at the Cherokee and Pittsburg Coal and Mining Company Mine No. 2 on November 9, 1888. Family members gathered at the mine’s entrance, distraught and waiting for news about their loved ones, many of whom did not survive the dust explosion.

Whenever I approach a memorial, I vow to read every name inscribed on it, and this time was no different.

PRO TIP: Clear your calendar to attend Frontenac’s 140th birthday at Mining Days on June 5-7, 2026. The Heritage and Homecoming Celebration is an annual event featuring family-friendly activities and historical tours. Don’t miss Little Balkans Days over Labor Day Weekend.

Heritage Hall Museum Inside Frontenac Public Library

Frontenac residents have a lot to be proud of, and you owe it to yourself to visit the Heritage Hall Museum at the Frontenac Public Library. Museum-goers begin a self-guided tour at the front desk. Meandering through a pathway that led me to each replica building felt like I was stepping into Frontenac’s past.

Original artifacts curated from local families added a storytelling quality, enhancing the high-quality exhibits. I was amazed by the attention to detail, from the testimonials of miners to the newspaper clippings about business openings.

The history of Southeast Kansas, and Frontenac in particular, is the story of European immigrants, miners, bootleggers, religious devotees, and family members who looked out for one another and supported the community.

Walking inside the bakery, I felt as if I were a customer seeking to buy a loaf. Tools of the miner’s trade and newspaper clippings about the worst mining disaster in history adorned a room dimly lit by lanterns. A peek inside a replica chapel revealed the history of long-standing Catholic and Methodist communities.

Another aspect of the museum that makes it better than most is that the director thought to include an interactive component, adding visual and audio stations, making it more accessible for visitors. Due to the museum’s proximity to the Frontenac Public Library, its artifacts are deeply rooted in the area’s genealogy.

Former and current Frontenac residents will relish the displays featuring curated Raiders memorabilia. Peering inside the displays, it was as if I could hear the football players and cheerleaders rooting for the Raiders to win the high school’s first-ever state football championship over Stockton in 1994.

Visiting the Heritage Hall Museum, located inside the Frontenac Public Library, is well worth it, offering visitors a glimpse into the cultural legacy and mining history of Frontenac and the greater Southeast Kansas region.

McKay Street Coffeehouse

Your next stop should be McKay Street Coffeehouse (200 E. McKay), which is accessible via the Frontenac Public Library as well. Serving espresso drinks, Italian sodas, tea, and pastries, I thought the quaint cafe was the ideal place for an early-morning Bootlegger Bourbon Caramel Latté served over ice.

If you’re unsure which coffee drink to order, the staff told me locals love a signature drink, The Raider, prepared with dark and white chocolate syrup.

The locally owned coffee shop sells Signet Coffee Roasters beans, a Pittsburg-based roastery operated by a couple who admittedly became coffee lovers later in life. You can also purchase scones, muffins, and bottled drinks.

During my visit, a steady stream of locals came and went, accompanied by music playing from a Bluetooth speaker.

PRO TIP: Visit the Free Little Library to select a complimentary book. Don’t miss the game wall, stocked with board and card games to play over coffee and conversation.

Shooters Neighborhood Bar & Grill

Shooters Neighborhood Bar & Grill (311 E. McKay) serves a tasty lunch or dinner meal in a sports bar atmosphere where televisions flank every wall and the billiards table is often in play.

The dining room was already filled with locals when I stopped by on a weekday for a midday meal of boneless chicken wings coated in Sully Sauce. With my choice of side dish, my meal was appetizing and one I’d order again.

If it’s a juicy burger you crave, you have come to the right place, as the menu includes various styles, including a two-patty stacked burger named after the bartender, the Big Merle.

On Saturday nights, Shooters Neighborhood Bar & Grill is a popular hangout attracting diners seeking the Chef’s Choice special. Happy Hour specials are served Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Drinkers will find five beers on tap, and the complete bar can “make any drink you want,” according to a posted sign.

Granny’s Chip Chocolate Ice Cream  & Candy Shop

What if the key to living a long life was to eat a bowl of ice cream before going to bed every night? The woman who inspired Granny’s Chip Chocolate Ice Cream & Candy Shop (214 E. McKay Street) lived to be 102 years old.

Add Frontenac’s favorite ice cream shop to your Southeast Kansas road trip. Open six days a week, it’s more than a place to grab a cone. It’s where the community gathers to swap stories over nearly 50 irresistible flavors of premium ice cream.

They serve super premium crafted with 16% butterfat for an unbelievably rich, velvety bite in every scoop. Go classic with a single or double scoop, blend your favorite into a thick, dreamy milkshake, or order an ice cream flight to sample four flavors in one go.

Chocolate Fudge Brownie? Yes, please. Chocolate Chip? Of course.

And for the kids (and young-at-heart), there’s a self-serve candy station, perfect for mixing and matching your favorite sweets by the pound. It’s the ultimate sugar-fueled pit stop for your Kansas adventure.

I would refer to the shop’s Facebook page for seasonal hours before arriving.

PRO TIP: If you’re unsure what ice cream flavor to order, ask for samples. They provided me with several during my first visit.

Pickled Pete’s Bar & Grill

At Pickled Pete’s Bar & Grill (303 E. McKay), live music performed by local and national songwriters is the draw on Fridays and Saturdays. The kitchen, which serves fried appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, nachos, and chili, operates Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to dine there since I was only visiting Frontenac for a few hours before driving on to explore more of Crawford County. But I’ll definitely be back.

The locally-owned sports bar prides itself on honoring first responders and the military community.

PRO TIP: View the upcoming live music and trivia calendar.

Palluccas Italian Meat Market & Deli

In 1909, a grocery store opened by Atillo Pallucca and Enrico Moriconi in Frontenac. A family-run business, Pallucas  (207 E. McKay Street), continues the tradition of providing Italian deli meats and meals to shoppers as well as serving sandwiches to walk-in customers.

In addition to slicing deli meat by the order, refrigerated glass cases house homemade sausage, pasta meals, and pre-made sandwiches. A few tables provide a place for lunch-goers to sit down and savor a panini prepared with bread from the local bakery.

Palluccas is a fantastic option if you want to purchase meals made from original recipes, such as take-and-bake lasagna, stuffed shells with cheese, or pulled pork. Preview the menu to order online.

PRO TIP: Attend Festa Italiana: A Taste of Nations festival, which draws up to 3,000 people in September at the Raider Sports Complex. You won’t want to miss the cannoli-eating contest.

Barto’s Idle Hour Steakhouse & Lounge

A stop on the Freedom Chicken and Fried Chicken Trail, Barto’s Idle Hour Steakhouse & Lounge (201 Santa Fe Street) serves double duty as a dinner destination and bar where live music plays on Friday and Saturday nights for a dance-happy crowd.

In business since 1951, the restaurant’s famous fried chicken keeps folks coming back. Why fried chicken? That’s what the owner, Ray Barto, liked to eat, so they perfected the recipe.

The restaurant wasn’t open when I was in town, but what a thrill it will be to mark it off my Kansas fried chicken restaurant bucket list the next time I’m in the area.

Farmhouse Cafe

If you’re seeking a breakfast sit-down meal, Farmhouse Cafe (4130 S Parkviews) serves large portions of comfort classics seven days a week. Not only do they serve breakfast all day, but the menu features lunch items and a daily dinner special.

I wasn’t overly hungry when I arrived, so I chose a toasted breakfast sandwich with a side of fresh fruit instead. The owner, Ismail, introduced himself, and within minutes of talking with him, it was easy to see how passionate he is about cooking scratch-made meals for the community. His recipes use fresh ingredients and homemade sauces.

PRO TIP: 

Bonus Stops

Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Frontenac City Park Lake (700 N. Cherokee Street), a scenic spot to drop a line at the fishing dock or teach kids about nature, seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Crawford State Park, Lake, and the Farlington Fish Hatchery are about a 30-minute drive northeast if you are interested in camping, fishing, boating, hiking trails, wildflower walks, or taking a tour of the hatchery (appointments required).

Are you more interested in shopping local? Past Time Antiques & Flea Market (4030 Parkview Drive) is a treasure hunter’s escape. Old furniture, sports equipment, home decorations, and more await those who are ready to find a deal.

I promise you will delight in how much it offers visitors who visit during a day trip. I’ve explored several small towns in Kansas, and Frontenac makes my list for communities that exceed expectations.

If you’re interested in extending your trip, consider my blog post, The Ultimate Travel Guide to Pittsburg, Kansas.